NEW ROCKFORD - MCVILLE
Eddy and Nelson Counties, ND
45.3 mi total 0.0 certified 0.0 connecting 0.0 marked 45.3 bare
The suggested route given here from the east end of the New Rockford Canal to rejoining the Sheyenne River must be considered strictly a transit roadwalk.
The initial plans for the North Country Trail called for the trail to head north from this point to the Ft. Totten and Devils Lake areas. However, potential land crossing problems exist in the area, and the National Park Service is now leaning to a more direct route east from the New Rockford Canal.
Since there is no defined route in this area, hikers may choose to avoid the rather empty route suggested here, or stay closer to the original route to the north, or, perhaps, follow SR15 east from the village of New Rockford, then north on SR1 to rejoin the route given here. The latter route is about the same distance as the route suggested here, but has somewhat more traffic; on this route, the hiker will see more farm machinery than they will cars, and not much of either.
There is no marking along this route, and no facilities of any description, other than a few widely scattered houses. Water is a problem, with no water sources except for farmhouses for the first 20 miles; for the rest of the section, the water problem is a little easier. There are no campsites, and little public land, except for the lands surrounding Lake Washington. Also, there are virtually no road signs, especially in Eddy County, (Nelson County is a little better) so compass work and keeping track of where you are becomes important. (Note: if the user gets thoroughly lost, always remember that for much of the distance SR15 is never more than a few miles to the south,until after crossing SR20, then SR15 is to the north.) Roads are virtually all gravel, ranging from well-graded to two-rut. Because of the many wandering two-ruts, this is one place where a county map, especially of Eddy County, available in New Rockford, could prove useful, but the maps here are adequate to cross the section. The western part of the section is almost as flat as the canal, and is heavily farmed; but the eastern half is a little more rolling and a little less heavily farmed.
0.0 (0.0) LEAVE NEW ROCKFORD CANAL
The route leaves the New Rockford Canal at an unnamed road one mile east of US281, 2.5 miles north of New Rockford. The canal does continue east for another half mile or so, but comes to an end in the middle of a field. The suggested route follows the unnamed road north for half a mile, reaching another unnamed road.
0.5 (0.5) TURN EAST ON UNNAMED ROAD
This road is followed eastward for four miles. About half a mile to the east of the turn, look south to where the New Rockford Canal ends.
4.5 (4.0) TURN NORTH ON UNNAMED ROAD
This road is followed for one mile.
5.5 (1.0) TURN EAST ON UNNAMED ROAD
This road is followed for four miles.
9.5 (4.0) TURN SOUTH ON UNNAMED ROAD
This road is followed for one mile.
10.5 (1.0) TURN EAST ON UNNAMED ROAD
After 8.5 miles, the road jogs to the south for half a mile, then turns east for another half mile before reaching the intersection with yet another unnamed road. The stream shown on the map halfway through the section is not a reliable water source.
20.0 (9.5) TURN NORTH ON UNNAMED ROAD.
This road is followed north for 0.6 miles. The small lake to the west of the road is the first relatively reliable water source, except for farmhouses, in this section.
20.6 (0.6) TURN EAST ON UNNAMED ROAD.
After 2.9 miles, the road bends to the north at South Washington Lake. The Lake Washington Wildlife Management Area begins half a mile to the north of the corner. Two miles north of the corner, the suggested route reaches an intersection and turns east.
25.5 (4.9) TURN EAST ON UNNAMED ROAD.
After 5 miles, paved SR15/20 is reached. The route continues straight; after another 3 miles, enter Nelson County, and the road becomes CR16 (There's even a road sign!) One mile farther, pass a country church that might provide a camping spot if permission is asked. Three miles farther, reach CH23.
37.5 (12.0) TURN SOUTH ON CH23
This road is followed for one mile, to CR17.
38.5 (1.0) TURN EAST ON CR17
This road is followed for four miles. After about 3 miles, pass a small lake that might make a water source.
42.5 (4.0) TURN NORTH ON CH19
This road is followed for one mile.
43.5 TURN EAST ON CR16
This road is followed east for 1.8 miles, descending into the Sheyenne River Valley, until reaching SR1.
45.3 REACH SR1.
Segment ends at this point.